8 Must-Have Herbs and Spices To Optimize Your Diet

9 months ago

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The flavor of any dish or drink is elevated by adding herbs and spices to an already beautiful concoction. Apart from their gastronomical benefits, they have many healing properties that make them a must-have in every diet. Which are the top herbs and spices that must form an essential part of your diet? Here is our comprehensive list.

Basil

Worshipped as Tulsi in the Indian culture, Basil has special importance in Italian cuisine as well. Good for immune system and skin, Basil is packed with antioxidants that fight inflammation, cancer, and stress. It promotes cardiovascular health and prevents diabetes. Seep it into your cup of tea and stay healthy.

Cilantro/Coriander

This versatile herb can be found in all cuisines of the world. The seeds and the leaves are both valuable. A good source of fiber, it is also rich in Vitamin K, A and calcium. Cilantro helps in digestion, lowers blood sugar, rids the body of harmful metals, combats stress, improves sleep, and supports menstrual process. Have it as a dip or garnish your food generously to get your daily fix.

Ginger

The sweet, citrusy taste of ginger adds zing to our food. It has a therapeutic compound, gingerol which contributes to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. From treating nausea, morning sickness, and digestive disorders, Ginger also helps in treating fungal diseases, menstrual pain, cough and cold, lowers cholesterol and improves brain function.

Mint

There is no better palate cleanser than mint. A dependable digestive and appetizer, mint is known to beneficial for skin diseases, muscular pains, nasal congestion, bad breath and stomach ulcers.

Cardamom

The sweet scent of cardamom is enough to get the gastric juices flowing. So much a part of Indian cuisine, it aids digestion, controls cholesterol and cancer, improves blood circulation and protects the heart. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and anti-microbial properties too.

Black Pepper

Before the British brought red chilies to India, we depended on pepper for getting spicy undertones in our food. Pepper helps in weight loss, skin care, aids digestions, and provides relief during nasal congestion. It is rich in Vitamin C. Pepper is helpful in the prevention of colon cancer and high blood pressure.

Cinnamon

A potent spice that has a sweet undertone to its flavor, cinnamon has the maximum amount of anti-oxidants amongst spices. It lowers blood sugar levels, builds immunity and reduces the risk of diabetes, cancer, and brain power decline. Cinnamon also improves heart function by increasing blood circulation and repairing heart tissue.

Turmeric

The wonder-spice, turmeric is equal to pharmaceutical medicines at fighting and reversing some diseases. It has anti-coagulant, anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties. Turmeric can fight depression, inflammation, clears up the skin, heals wounds and can positively affect arthritis. It is beneficial in preventing diabetes, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular issues. Apart from adding color to our curries, it also acts as a positive steroid. Have it in your glass of warm milk to increase your immunity.